The Impact of House Design on Levels of Crime and Fear of Crime

Abstract

The design and positioning of a property within a residential development can influence its vulnerability to crime. This includes the type of property (whether the property is detached, semidetached, terraced or multi-occupancy), the orientation of the property (whether the front door faces the street) and the position of the property within a development (whether it is set back from the street, overlooked by neighbours and/or located on a corner plot). Research presented within this chapter suggests that certain types of properties experience higher levels of burglary than others, as evidenced through analysis of police recorded crime statistics. It also suggests that certain types of property are perceived to be more vulnerable to crime, as judged by offenders, police and planning professionals.